Couple with criminal past reportedly bring children on High Desert robbery

HESPERIA -- A couple with a criminal past are behind bars after reportedly bringing two small children with them Wednesday evening to allegedly rob a Hesperia automotive business which then led to a 100-mile-per-hour chase, San Bernardino County Sheriffs' officials said Thursday.

"Deputies didn't know the children were in the vehicle when this all first started," said Sgt. K. Arlotti with the Hesperia station.

Tanasha Arche Parker, 37, of Rialto and Dwight Evans, 26, of Compton, were arrested Wednesday evening on suspicion of child endangerment, according to booking information. Evans, who was on community supervision though Californian's Prison Realignment Plan for being a felon in possession of a firearm out of Los Angeles County, was also arrested on suspicion of robbery and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Parker, who allegedly fled from deputies, was also arrested on suspicion of felony evading. Both were booked into Victor Valley Jail, according to a news release.

Shortly after 5 p.m., deputies were called to the 14800 block of Bear Valley Road to an automotive business for reports of a man armed with a submachine gun, according to the sheriff's officials.

Reports show a man, later identified as Evans, demanded cash from an employee at the business but it wasn't immediately clear if Evans managed to get any money. An employee at the business, who asked not to be identified, said they try not to have too much cash on hand so if he did manage to get any money, it wasn't much.

Deputy John Clough with the Hesperia SMASH Gang Unit saw Evans run out of the business and managed to stop the fleeing man after a short foot pursuit, said Arlotti.

Parker, who was sitting in a vehicle in the rear alley of the business with the vehicle's passenger door open, sped off when she saw the commotion between Evans and Clough, according to authorities.

A deputy with the High Desert Special Enforcement Detail who was in the area, saw Parker get onto the 15 Freeway and speed south, according to the release.

Several deputies and the Sheriff's Aviation helicopter, 40-King, followed Parker as she drove at speeds reaching 100 MPH, Arlotti said.

"She never slowed down enough for us to safely so a PIT maneuver," said Arlotti who added under the sheriff's department's policy a PIT manuever may only be done at speeds of less than 30 MPH.

Parker eventually stopped on her own on the Cleghorn Road offramp in the Cajon Pass, officials said.

Parker was taken into custody and her two small children, ages 6 and 8, were turned over to Children and Family Services.

It was unclear if Evans was also the children's father.

Court records show the couple has been arrested once before in San Bernardino County for reportedly committing a crime together.

Evans and Parker were arrested and charged with burglary and attempted grand theft for an incident that took place in February 2011, according to Fontana Superior court records.

Evans eventually pleaded guilty to the burglary charge but all charges against Parker were dismissed, court documents show.

The Hesperia robbery investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hesperia station at 760-947-1500.